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www.spec.com.au OBSERVER SPORT JAMES LINDSEY LOCAL powerlifter Kayne Johnston has qualified for the national championships after winning a silver medal at the Riseup Challenge last month. Johnston put in an outstanding performance at the Melbourne event to finish second overall in the 74-kilogram weight class. There is little time to celebrate however, with the focus quickly turning to the Australian Junior and Masters Championships this August. Johnston also qualified for the World Championships in Finland in the junior division later this year. The 22-year-old said he wasn’t planning on travelling to Finland but would dedicate his time into putting in a personal best at Melbourne’s national championship meet. “My plan is to train as hard as possible for the next few months and make a big mark in the junior nationals,” Johnston said. “I want to get what is considered an elite total (535kg combined) in my squat, bench and deadlift.” Johnston’s total of 480kg at the Riseup Challenge gave him an A grade ranking in Powerlifting Australia’s ranking scheme. Johnston achieved 167.5 kilograms for the squat, followed by the successful completion of 100kg on the bench press. Johnston said he was nervous upon his first squat which was completed in front of a crowd along with a panel of judges. “I went on to the stage not even knowing if I would hit my opening squat which could have led to me eventually bombing out of the meet,” he said. “I wasn’t sure if I went too heavy too early. I had to lock my knees out which I wasn’t used too as their rules are quite strict. I lifted it up and it was a lot harder, it took about four seconds to lift.” Needing to deadlift 212.5 kilograms to achieve the 480kg A grade total, Johnston lifted 200kg in the first of his three attempts. “I found that one to be pretty easy. I didn’t have any problems there at all,” Johnston said. The second attempt was of a higher difficulty although Johnston answered the challenge to achieve the required total of 212.5 kilograms. “It was hard but I felt like I had it in the bag. I had done it before in training so I was pretty confident I could get it.” Johnston locked and lifted, completing the attempt to setup a free shot on his third and final chance. “In my third attempt I considered going conservative and adding only five kilos to my total but that wouldn’t really have achieved anything,” Johnston explained. “I thought I would go all out and try and break my previous record so I tried to deadlift 227kgs.” “The amount was significant because it is 501 pounds, a lot of people in the lifting community talk in pounds and it would have been a personal best.” “I walked out and gripped the bar as tight as I could, I lifted and it kept going up, I completed it and waited for the judge’s verdict.” Johnston got two red lights along with one white light, deeming the attempt to be ineligible, after the judges decided he used his legs to support the bar. “I was disappointed with the final result but I was excited to qualify for the National Championships,” he later said. Johnston commended his fellow competitors, saying he was surprised by how receptive and friendly everyone was during the meet. “Even the people who were in my weight class were supportive, the world champion was there lifting and he was a really nice guy too. “I would have expected them to be cocky but everyone was really friendly and that was the best part of competing.” Johnston said that competing in front of a crowd of around 100 people was a new experience, but an enjoyable one. “Everyone who came to support me was sensation and the crowd was really bloody supportive.” Johnston underwent a strenuous preparation to ensure he shed weight and qualified for the 74kg weight class. “I lost a lot of weight in the last two weeks leading up to the event, I was drinking eight litres of water a day, plus I only ate protein such as canned tuna.” It completes a remarkable transformation for Johnston who began going to the gym after losing too much weight from cycling to university whilst residing in Melbourne. “I was cycling over 200km a week and was losing too much weight, I couldn’t maintain it,” he said. “I wanted to be as strong as possible so I started gaining strength and doing stuff three times a week. That sparked my interest in strength and strength in compound movement. “I started getting stronger and continued going to the gym when I moved back to Portland at the end of 2012. I’m hoping to keep working hard across the next few months so I can put in a good performance in Melbourne at the nationals.” PORTLAND OBSERVER Friday March 6 2015 39 EMAIL: dean.millard@observer.net.au spec.com.au Johnston powers into championships KAYNE Johnston finished second in the Riseup Challenge powerlifting competition last month which has led to qualification at the national championships in August. Make or break for Darras and Go-Ports JASON BARBIN WITH the junior cricket season coming to a close this Sunday, two teams will battle it out for glory and for bragging rights for another year. For the Tyrendarra and Gorae-Portland sides, all the hard work they have put in over the season comes down to this, the grand final. Both sides have proven to be the best all season, finishing first and second respectively on the 2014/15 ladder, it looms to be an exciting and entertaining final match of the season with both side boasting several highly talented players. Finishing first with 70 points and a percentage of 1.8437, Tyrendarra go into this game as favourites, led by gun opening batsmen Jason Pitt and Jordi Withers. Tyrendarra co-coach Andrew Stuchbery says the two players have performed well all season. “They have been our two stand out players all season.” Stuchbery said. Pitt has hit 451 runs this season at an average of 112.75 and coming off a ton in the semi final win against the Portland Tigers, is in good form heading into the big dance. Pitt is also a star fast bowler with 12 wickets (28 across all competitions) at an average of 10.17 and a strike rate 28.50. Withers has made 433 runs this season with an average of 108.25, while also taking five catches behind the stumps. “Jordi will keep first then have a bowl and Jason will put on the gloves.” Role players Nash Kitt and Maison Pridham will also be looked upon to make meaningful contributions in the match. “Maison has been bowling a treat this season. Nash has been really consistent.” Perceived as the underdog going into this match, Go-Ports are every bit as capable of winning this one. Finishing second on the ladder only on percentage (1.7239), Go-Ports have their own stars in the making in James Roberts and Zac Duncan. Roberts have been consistent JASON Pitt and his Tyrendarra teammates enter the junior cricket grand final as favourites against GoraePortland. PICTURE: ELLY HATELEY 150301eh09 all season, scoring 278 runs at an average of 34.75. With a high score of 63 this season, Roberts has shown the ability to bat out an innings if needed. Also a handy bowler, Roberts has taken 12 wickets (23 across all competitions) at an average of 15.33 and a strike rate of 35.00. Go-Ports co-coach Daniel Jones says Roberts has proven to be a game winner. “He has been excellent this season, really stepped up his performance. “He is starting to develop into a really good crickter.” Jones said. Duncan, a capable opening batsman, has scored 189 runs this season at an average of 18.90. Duncan is also in good form coming off a 47 run performance in the semi-final against the Portland Colts. Also a good bowler, Duncan has taken 12 wickets at an average of 9.58 with a strike rate of 17.83. “Hasn’t had the best season, been unlucky but he is up there with the best.” Go-Ports also boast good depth in the middle order both batting and bowling. Tanner Stone and Sam Roberts are both playing their roles well throughout the season combining for almost 400 runs and 20 wickets. For them to be in the top handful of players in the competition at such a young age, it’s an excellent achievement.” The two sides have split their previous meetings this season, both held at Flinders Park. With rain threatening to spoil the contest, it may be the most important coin toss this season as whoever bats first may be able to put pressure on the opposition if they manage to get a big score. With both teams evenly matched, the pressure is on to get a good start. Opening partnerships will be crucial as both sides have fast bowlers capable of breaking up a partnership. With Pitt and Withers leading the competition in runs scored this season, both of those wickets will be vital if Go-Ports are going to win this game. On the other hand, if the combination of Duncan, James Roberts or Tanner Stone can make a good start, it will go a long way in deciding who wins the match. With the slightly shortened boundaries, teams will be looking for a score of 180-200 which should put them in a good position to win the match The final game of the season will be played at Hanlon Reserve starting at 11am. PICTURE: ELLY HATELEY 150302eh09